Chad Michael Murray’s transformation: From teen idol in 'One Tree Hill’ to 'Freaky Friday 2' hunky look

Tracing Chad Michael Murray’s evolution as Disney shares his first look from 'Freaky Friday 2'

From 'Gilmore Girls' to 'Sullivan's Crossing' - Chad Michael Murray has come a long way from being a teen heartthrob to an established actor. Not only has the actor tried his hands at different genres to solidify his position as a character actor, but his undeniably gorgeous features have earned him hoards of fans. Join us in unraveling Murray's eclectic career as he comes a full circle from making his film debut in 'Freaky Friday' in 2003 to Disney releasing his first look as Jake in 'Freaky Friday 2' on July 18.

1. 2003 - 'Freaky Friday'

While Murray made his acting debut with 'Gilmore Girls', he landed his first role in the film industry with the 2003 teen flick 'Freaky Friday'. Continuing with his bad boy persona that was firmly established through his stint in 'Gilmore Girls', the actor starred opposite Lindsay Lohan in the romantic drama. Murray's character Jake falls in love with Lohan's Anna Coleman while she's trapped in the body of her mother Tess Coleman - played by Jamie Lee Curtis, per Looper.

2. 2004 - 'A Cinderella Story'

After the success of 'Freaky Friday', he cemented his position as the favorite jock when he played the protagonist against Hilary Duff in the 2004 movie 'A Cinderella Story'. In 2016, he reminisced about the film to InStyle, while saying if the movie was made in a different decade, it would have been different. “They can make that story time and time again, and it’ll always be evolving due to technology and society,” Murray said before adding, “I don’t really know what’s cool anymore, but I think they’d be Snapchatting each other if the movie was made today. I don’t think you can hide under an email anymore.”

3. 2003 - 2009 - 'One Tree Hill'

In 2003, as Murray - who had started his career in showbiz with a stellar modeling career - was making hearts flutter with his role in 'Freaky Friday', he was also roped in for 'One Tree Hill'. Breaking away from his already-established bad-boy persona, Murray was signed to play the show's protagonist Lucas Scott. He went on to appear regularly for six seasons from 2003 to 2009 before leaving the show. he came back for the final season again in 2012. Later, in an interview with Cosmopolitan, he said, "[P]laying the moral compass for that show, which is what Lucas was, was a great way for me to learn as an artist, and to start understanding emotions and understanding myself," before adding, "It gave me the opportunity to grow up as a human being, away from Los Angeles, out in North Carolina, which was incredible."

4. 2005 - Marriage with Sophia Bush

After meeting Sophia Bush on the set of 'One Tree Hill', Murray started dating his co-actress. Just after dating for a few months, the then couple tied the knot in April 2005. However, the reunion did not last long with them separating just after five months of saying, "I do." Soon he started dating another 'One Tree Hill' co-star Kenzie Dalton, and got engaged in April 2006.

5. 2008 - Chad Michael Murray won the Teen Choice Award

For his spectacular performance in 'One Tree Hill', the actor won the Teen Choice Award in 2008. While accepting the award, he gushed about his then-girlfriend, Kenzie, and said, “I have a really great girl in my life right now." He added, “She is my best friend, she supports me. She makes me laugh. I have actually never had a girl make me laugh before.”

6. 2013 - Chad Michael Murray called off his engagement with Kenzie Dalton

One year after the conclusion of 'One Tree Hill', Murray's relationship with Kenzie also came to an end. The couple called off their engagement in 2013. 

7. 2015 - Chad Michael Murray married his 'Chosen' co-star Sarah Roemer

A year after his break up with Kenzie, Murray found the love of his life while starring in 'Chosen'. As he starred in the the Crackle original series, he met his current wife Sarah Roemer in 2014. After dating for a year, the couple secretly tied the knot in 2015. The couple also went on to welcome three children together - one son and two daughters. Speaking about the effect of having a family, Murray gushed to Entertainment Tonight in 2016, “Having a family just changes your perspective on everything.” He said, “For me, it was the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me. I think you’re always walking around with the mentality that you want to make sure that they’re proud and you want to represent them well and just be a great leader.”

8. 2017 - Chad Michael Murray wrote 'American Drifter'

Murray is not only an accomplished actor but has also penned a book. In 2017, he released his book titled 'American Drifter'. He told Us Weekly in the same year, “American Drifter’s romance was inspired by a dream I had,” and noted, “The dream had played out so vividly, as if I was a fly on the wall watching this tale go down. Also, at that time, I had been searching for a story that would resonate with the youth of the world in a way that would make us feel the light and excitement for adventure.” 

9. 2019 - Chad Michael Murray starred in 'Riverdale' 

Murray made a grand comeback to teen drama as he debuted as cult leader Edgar Evernever on 'Riverdale' in March 2019. In May of the same year, he revealed to E! News, “It’s a dream job, it’s on the list of whoa!” before gushing, “As an actor, [when asked], ‘Do you want to play a cult leader?’ The answer is always yes.” He also shared that his wife inspired him to take the role, saying, “For me, the wife is the one that pushed me in this direction." He explained, “She’s an avid Riverdale fan, and she said, ‘You’re doing it, and that’s the last we’re going to talk about it,’ and I’m so grateful I did.” 

10. 2024 - Disney releases the first look of 'Freaky Friday 2'

Two decades after the release of 'Freaky Friday', Chad Michael Murray is returning as Jake for Disney's 'Freaky Friday 2'. Disney recently released a still image of the actor from the set of the upcoming film which is due for a release in 2025. The first look, which showed the handsome actor posing against a motorcycle, sent social media into a frenzy.